“Four weeks without playing at least” for Antoine Dupont: a surgeon deciphers the scenarios after his fracture

2023-09-22 12:13:50

The ax fell shortly after 9:30 this Friday morning: Antoine Dupont suffered a “maxillo-zygomatic fracture” after his head-to-head collision with Namibian player Johan Deysel, during the match against Namibia in Marseille on Thursday evening. The captain of the Blues, however, remains in the France group, in case he can play again at the World Cup between now and the final scheduled for October 28. A scenario still possible, to which a large part of the country clings, but subject to numerous conditions.

A maxillo-zygomatic fracture is “a fracture of the cheekbone, the bony relief which is located just under the eye”, first describes Dr François Morel, maxillofacial surgeon in Rouen. “Relatively benign” compared to other types of fractures, this one is “fairly classic during frontal impacts”, adds the practitioner.

A possible return to the semi-final?

The XV of France indicates that a “specialized surgical opinion has been requested to precisely define the duration of the unavailability” of its captain. The verdict should come within two to three days, while this part of the face deflates. Can we really hope to see Antoine Dupont on the field again, for example during a possible semi-final scheduled in a month (October 20 or 21) or the final a week later? Everything will depend a lot on the need – or not – to operate.

“If it is sufficiently stable and there is no need to operate, it requires at least four weeks of immobilization. Until then, Antoine Dupont can run, push cast iron, have a more or less normal life, but typically rugby is banned because direct shocks must be avoided,” says François Morel. At the end of the four weeks, “he could play if he doesn’t mess up, avoiding scrums, and with protection like a helmet,” he adds.

VIDEO. Antoine Dupont’s fracture: “For us, he didn’t finish the competition,” says the staff

In the event of surgical operation, for example if the fracture is very significant, “you have to wait four or five days for it to deflate before operating and then let at least four weeks pass,” says the surgeon. In this scenario, “it would not be reasonable, medically, to have him play again during the World Cup,” believes François Morel.

“Possible after-effects depend greatly on initial treatment”

The assistant coach of the Blues, Laurent Labit, indicated this Friday morning that “the specialist will give the final verdict and the duration of absence”. “It’s Antoine who will decide what he wants to do and we will comply with that. Everything can be considered,” he added.

In March 2018, South African player Brad Barritt had a metal plate inserted after a fractured cheekbone and he returned to training the day after his injury, a few days before a “too important” match. to miss it.” But he seemed less seriously affected than Antoine Dupont when leaving the field.

For François Morel, despite the immense expectations of all rugby fans, caution should prevail on the medical level. “What I often say to patients who are in this kind of situation is that it is better to take the time it takes to recover well, because the possible long-term after-effects depend a lot on the management initial,” says the surgeon. Barely 26 years old, Antoine Dupont theoretically still has a large part of his career ahead of him.